A former western Pennsylvania judge is accused of stealing cocaine brought into his courtroom as evidence. An investigative grand jury and Pennsylvania's Attorney General's Office say it happened in the stately Washington County Courthouse.

Former Judge Paul Pozonsky resigned last year when they started investigating his allegedly taking and misusing drug case evidence. Now, he faces several charges, including theft, drug possession, and conflict of interest ethics.

"We fully cooperated with the investigation and, needless to say, today's events are troubling and humbling for former Judge Pozonsky," said his defense attorney, Robert DelGreco.

Pozonsky came back from his new home in Alaska for arraignment.

A grand jury presentment describes Pozonsky:

-ordering that cocaine drug evidence be stored in his office filing cabinet,

-sometimes demanding drug evidence be brought to him when it hadn't been already,

-ordering destruction of evidence, then claiming he'd destroyed it personally.

The Washington County District Attorney's Office requested that the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office handle the probe for county residents.

Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone said the message to the people of Washington County is, "The system worked. Their criminal justice system worked in this case, and it's proof that no one is above the law, not even a judge of the Court of Common pleas."

Pozonsky remains free on unsecured bond and is allowed to return home to Alaska for the time being. As for whether the ex-judge will fight the charges or seek a plea deal, DelGreco said, "We haven't determined that yet. I think, at some point, we need to make a serious business decision and, frankly, I don't want to discuss the niceties or particulars now."

Reactions from Washington County residents varied.

"I'm not surprised these days. I think anything can happen. I would just like to know how he got the drugs," said Lyric Behanna, of Bentleyville.

"I'm surprised. I didn't think that of him. I kind of know him, and I just … I guess he has a drug problem," said Betsy Behanna.

Pozonsky's preliminary hearing would have him returning to the Washington County Courthouse as a defendant, where he once sat as judge. DeGreco believes Pozonsky's June 13 hearing could be postponed, and that the case could be assigned to a judge from a different county.